FAQ – Page 3

6 Top Philippine World Heritage Sites

January 30, 2018 By FAQ Leave a Comment

Blessed with stunning natural views, rich culture and history, the Philippines has received worldwide recognition. According to World Heritage Convention, there are at least eight sites in the country that have made their way to the World Heritage List. The list itself is divided into three different types of universal heritage: natural, cultural, and the mixed type of both nature and culture.

1. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, Palawan

UNESCO put this marine park in the World Heritage List in 1993 and it is the first Philippine site to receive such recognition. The organization committee even declared the 33,200 ha traditional island region to be of irreplaceably valuable due to its coral reef beauty and diversity along with a wide range of sea species there. The place provides such wonderful marine life that even marine biologists claim to be hard to find elsewhere in the world. There are over 350 species of coral, 500 species of fish, and various kinds of whales, dolphins, sharks and turtles.

The intensely beautiful underwater park is included in the natural property category as it does not merely provide marvellous views, but it also helps keep balance of the natural environment. Aside from its biodiversity, the coral walls of Tubbataha are also wonderful diving spots for tourists (which are usually compared to the coral walls of the Great Barrier Reef).

From Manila, tourists can take regular fights to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. At the airport, you can then take a motorcycle ride to the pier, where boats going to Tubbataha Reef are available.

The North Atoll of Tubbataha Reefs National Park

2. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan

Both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of Nature, this national park is a combination of several astonishing natural features: river, mountain, rainforest, and plains. The river is as long as 8.2 km and it is considered one of the longest underground rivers in the world. Other than the length, the river is a rare natural wonder as the water comes from an inland source and it flows into the sea. On the other hand, the highest peak of the mountainous area is as high as 1,028 meters above sea level and it is even more unique with the addition of limestone plateaus. The rainforest itself has its own charm. It is home to a wide range of both endangered and endemic flora and fauna: calamian deer, mouse deer, Palawan bearcat, skunks, wild pigs, etc.

The national park is located 81 km away from Puerto Pricesa downtown area, in St Paul mountain range and 360 km southwest of Manila. Everyone wanting to visit the underground river must apply for a permit to do so, and because of limited capacity and high demand, it’s best to book a few days in advance.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

3. Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao

Despite its location in the remote Cordillera mountainous area, this is one of the places in the country that is definitely worth a visit. Getting to Banaue and Ifugao is difficult and long, but well worth the journey north. The journey from Manila to Banaue takes about 9 hours by bus (traffic can add about 2 hours). The other option is to fly to Baguio and then take a bus from there, but it doesn’t save much time. The best time to go is between February and May end, when it is least likely that the views will be obscured by low level clouds.

Not only attractive for tourists, the place has grown the curiosity of scholars, as well. In fact, they have estimated that the setting of the rice terraces dated back from 2,000 years ago. It has shown the unity of man and nature: how man forms a natural landscape to suit his needs. Completing the tranquillity of the paddy terraces is the sound of flowing water from the irrigation canals.

Apart from the popular paddy terraces in Ifugao, there are other sites, although not quite as majestic, across the country. They scatter in Kalinga-Apayao, Abra, and Benguet, areas with approximate height of 700 to 1,500 meters. In fact, all these terraces take up around 20,000 km square or 7% out of the country’s total land mass.

Banaue Rice Terraces. Image by Cabajar via Wikimedia Commons

4. Historic City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur

Back in the days when Spain colonialized the country, Vigan or what was better known as Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan was amongst the top three cities holding the most significant roles in the Philippines. The importance can be seen through the constructions around the city: religious buildings, big houses and other architectural buildings used for political activities.

With such historical backgrounds, the city is a proof of the culture combination between the foreign and local. There are several buildings representing the mixture, such as Plaza Salcedo, Saint Paul’s Cathedral and College, The Arzopispado, the Provincial Capitol Building, Simbaan a Bassit (a cemetery chapel), Calle Crisologo (a residential area with a cobbled stone street), and Burgos Museum.

From Manila, Vigan is approximately a 7 hour trip. There are buses travelling between the two cities.Besides, one can opt for a flight to the city of Laoag, which is about 80 kilometers from Vigan. From there, tourists can reach Vigan within 1 and a half hours.

The Spanish period houses in Calle Crisologo, VIgan, Ilocos Sur. Photo by Adrian Enriquez via Pixabay.

5. Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

In the Philippines, out of the six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, only one can be found in Mindanao. That is the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary found in Davao Oriental, the only mountain range heritage site in the country. It is home to a number of threatened flora and fauna, Philippine eagle, Philippine cockatoo, Philippine warty pig, Philippine pygmy fruit bat.

6. Beautiful churches around the country

Some of the country’s most embellished churches are Church of San Agustin, Nuestra Senora dela Asuncion, San Agustin Church in Manila, and Santo Tomas de Villanueva.

Sharing a similar name are the Church of San Agustin (known as the Paoay Church) in Illocos Norte and San Agustin Church in Manila. Although they both also share a similar concept of enduring earthquakes, the styles of the buildings are different. While the one in Illocos Norte has fourteen massive buttresses in the shape of the letter S, each of which is topped with a finial in the form of a pyramid to support its walls, the one in Manila exerts a raft type foundation allowing the construction to sway during an earthquake.

On the other hand, Nuestra Senola dela Asuncion (known as the Santa Maria Church) has Mediterranean look due to its location on the top of a hill and Santo Tomas de Villanueva (known as the Miagao Church) owns a strong fortress image because of its squat structure and its pair of massive bells.

San Agustin Church located at Intramuros Manila

Nuestra Señora dela Asunción

5 Top Universities in the Philippines

January 24, 2018 By FAQ Leave a Comment

Having been known for its heaven like beaches, the Philippines has attracted thousands of international citizens to visit the country. Apart from its tourism magnet, it has been reported that there are more than five thousand foreign students coming to the country for their academic pursuit every year. The reasons are pretty clear. The living costs and school fees are considered way more affordable when compared with other English speaking countries. Not only that, its tourism spots and mix of cultures (Spanish, American and Malay) make the country far more interesting to young minds who want to explore and have fun while stuying. So far, such large number of students are catered by around two thousand universities in the Philippines.

Choosing the one that suits your academic needs out of so many options might be tricky, but knowing list of the country’s top universities may help you make up your mind. To be noted, the list is based on the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings of 2017 and so far, there are five Philippine universities that have made their way into the billboard chart.

1. University of the Philippines Diliman

UP Diliman is the number one university in the country. Although the University of the Philippines is government funded and it is accessible throughout the country as it has 15 different campuses in different locations. UP Diliman in Quezon City is the most reputable one. Being awarded as the 75^th best university in Asia and 367^th in the world by the QS, UP Diliman has more than twenty thousand students with three most recognized majors: English language and literature, management and social sciences. Other than the three majors, academic programs related to architecture, biology, business, broadcast, chemistry, computer, economics, film, food technology, geology, industry, journalism, mathematics, mining, psychology, tourism and visual communication. In addition to the varied programs, the Commission on Higher Education has declared many of its research centers the National Centers of Excellence.

Other top University of the Philippines branches are the ones in Manila and Los Banos.

2. University of Santo Tomas

Looking at the university’s academic programs, University of Santo Tomas is a one stop study center. Quite similar to the diverse academic options presented by the University of the Philippines Diliman, this university caters a wide range of academic flairs: accounting, arts, chemistry, biology, engineering, commerce, architecture, computer science, hospitality, education, human resources, journalism, laws, music, literature, pharmacy and many others.

Founded in 1611, this university is the oldest in the country and in Asia. So far, its reputation has been affirmed by the QS four star rating it receives and its 801-1000 global place in the QS World University Rangkings. With the currently formed Academic Programs Quality Assurance Office, the quality of each program offered by the university is closely monitored to meet global standards.

3. Ateneo de Manila University

This university is one of the country’s oldest as it was established in mid 1800’s. Claiming that Lux in Domino or Light in the Lord in English as its motto, this university holds up to excellent education and doing something for environment and community, which can be seen clearly through its sustainability programs.

Academically, Ateneo de Manila is placed joint 95^th among Asian universities and 551-600 in the world. Its widely recognized programs are the English language and literature along with arts and humanities. In fact, the first is ranked among the world’s top 200, while the later among the top 350. Other than the those popular majors, other programs are available, such as economics, management, development studies, communication, and European studies.

4. De La Salle University

The university is highly reputable in the Philippines, popular for its academic quality and researches. Even fourteen of its programs have been declared Centers of Excellence and five Centers of Development by the Commission on Higher Education. Not only that, the university has received an autonomous status from the Commission.

Furthermore, the university has received global recognition. Despite the fact that it is ranked among the 701-750 when compared with other universities around the world and 134^th in Asia, its English language and literature major is indeed quite well recognized as it joins the world’s top 200. There are currently more than eighteen thousand students pursuing their degree in the university. Hundreds of them are international students coming from twenty different countries.

Apart from its excellent academic programs, De La Salle University, which was established in 1911 by the Brothers of Christian Schools, is well known for its community service active involvement.

5. Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Established in 1904, Polytechnic University of the Philippines is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Manila, National Capital Region. This institution has also branch campuses in the following location(s): Taguig, Quezon CIty, San Juan, ParaÃ+aque, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Batangas, Cavite, Mindoro, Laguna, Abu Dhabi. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Commission on Higher Education, Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: over-45,000 students) coeducational higher education institution.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 113 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students’ past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 20-30% making this Philippine higher education organization a very selective institution.

Top 10 Most Visited Museums in the Philippines

January 23, 2018 By FAQ Leave a Comment

The Philippines is a country with undeniable tourism magnet. Famous for its beautiful beaches, tempting food adventure and friendly locals, there is still something touristy hidden in the country: its museums.

Although not all tourists fancy museum visits, the cultural and historical items exhibited in the museums across the nation does picture the richness of the country. Should you be willing to give a go to museum visits, here is the list of the ones that should be on the top priority.

1. The National Museum

It goes by a different official name, which is the Museum of the Filipino People. Located in Rizal Park in Manila, this is a museum with easy access. Although the original building was meant for a public library, it was later renovated in 2003. It has turned into an art gallery since then.

The exhibits are practically divided into two: natural history and cultural heritage. Natural history covers the areas of botany, zoology, geology and paleontology, while cultural heritage includes anthropology, fine arts, and archaeology.

Admission: Free
Business Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Web: http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph

2. Ayala Museum

Located in business district of Ayala in Mekati, the building has got a trendy, modern look. Different from the National Museum, which is government owned, this one is managed by private and so far, it has been the most popular private museum with the most visitors in the country.

The history of the Philippines from its prehistoric eras to the time when the country gained its independence in 1946 is potrayed through the sixty dioramas exhibited in the museum. These historical dioramas have always been the must-see attraction of Ayala museum. In addition, rare painting from the local master artists, artifacts (such as ritual objects, weapons, musical instruments) found in various regions of the country, miniature sea vessels and boats vividly picturing the sea transport evolution can be seen in the museum.

Admission: Regular: Resident – P225; Students and Senior Citizen: P125
Business Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Web: http://www.ayalamuseum.org

Image Credit: Thecrazytourist

3. Mind Museum

Cooperating with ASPAC (Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres) and ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers), this museum tries to give its visitors educational experiences that will provide better understanding about nature. Recognized to be of world class quality, its galleries are surely worth visiting.

In fact, Trip Advisor has given this museum a certificate of excellence in 2017 due to the consistent good reviews from its visitors. Prior to that, it has received 2014 Thea Award for the sensory experiences. Even the building has been awarded LEED Gold Certification by the Green Building Council in the USA.

Admission: Adult: P600; Student: P450; Public school student and teacher: P150
Business Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Web: http://www.themindmuseum.org

4. University of Santo Tomas Museum of Arts and Sciences

Positioned in the university main building, this museum is a part of Santo Tomas University, which makes it the oldest in the country. The museum was meant to be used as an observation center. The collections include botany, biology and mineral. Currently, there have been new additions to the collections: cultural objects and artifacts, such as musical instruments, metal crafts, and household tools.

Admission: Adult: P50; non-UST students: P30
Business Hours: Mondays, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm and Tuesdays to Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Web: http://ustmuseum.ust.edu.ph

5. Rizal Shrine

As the name suggests, this Spanish-Colonial looking house is dedicated for the country’s hero, Jose Rizal. Designed and reconstructed during the era of President Quirino to take after the original house of the hero’s, which was destroyed in World War II, the museum displays things that are related to Jose Rizal, such as his photographs, books, and even his execution coat. In addition to that, the well in the house has been featured as a wishing well for its visitors.

With approximately 270,000 visitors coming per year, Rizal Shrine is a must visit in Calamba.

Admission: Adult: P75; Students and Children: P50
Business Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Web:

6. Palawan Museum

The museum owns vast collections that show the rich cultural heritage of Palawan. Those who fancy finding out more about Palawan would be happy to see the exhibits: the first Philippine man’s skull and bones found in Tabon Caves along with other fossils, artifacts and relics representing Palawan historical and cultural heritage. The displayed items are divided into several sections: history, anthropology, archaeology, biology, and ethnology. Apart from that, a library can be found in the museum. It is home to various donated books, some of which are hard to find elsewhere.

Admission: Adult: P50; Student: P20
Business Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Web:

Image Credit: Survivetravel

7. Clark Museum

Mount Pinatubo eruption, the transformation of Pampanga as one of the Philippine business zones, relics of Angeles City are some of the things that are available in Clark Museum. Located in Clark Special Economic Zone, the place which was previously used as US Military Base gives off its own magnet for tourists with high regard to historical and cultural values.

But another popular showcase that Clark has to offer the world is the 4D Theater, located right beside the Clark Museum. It is a 48-seater theater with very comfortable chairs that will make you feel as if you’re sitting back, relaxing and having a massage all while you watch a movie.

Admission: Adult: P200; Student/Senior Citizen: Free
Business Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Web: http://www.visitclark.com/museum4d.html

Image Credit: Wikimedia

8. Museo Pambata

The Museo Pambata is a children’s interactive museum, the first of its kind in the Philippines. It is in a sense an alternative to the formal classroom environment where learning resembles a one-way street – the teacher imparts knowledge and the students absorb it. In Museo Pambata, children can use their total senses and learn various concepts at their own pace. It excites the minds of the young, inspires them to learn more, and most importantly revitalizes what child learning should be: fun and exciting.

Admission: Kids and Adults: P250
Business Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sundays, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Web: http://www.museopambata.org

Image Credit: Positivelyfilipino

9. BenCab Museum

The BenCab Museum’s structure alone is a fine work of art. It’s a four-level museum that features modern architecture with high ceiling, glass walls, and windows that allow natural light to come in. The street level is where the entrance to the museum is. The 2nd and 3rd levels are where the galleries and other art installations can be found while the 4th level is where the cafe is located.

Admission: General: P150; Student: P120; Senior: P80
Business Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm)
Web: http://www.bencabmuseum.org

Image Credit: Marla Eizzel

10. Puzzle Mansion Tagaytay

The Puzzle Mansion is a museum in Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines which hosts a collection of jigsaw puzzle which is recognized as the biggest in the world according to Guinness.

Admission: Kids and Adults: P100
Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Web: http://thepuzzlemansion.com

10 Foods You Must Try in Philippines

November 26, 2017 By FAQ Leave a Comment

Food is a part of a culture. Tasting a country’s local food does not only make travelling experiences more fun, but it also gives better insight of the cultural diversity.

The Philippines is one of the popular tourism destinations in Asia and its local cuisines can be quite challenging for some. Well, here are its top ten local dishes that will take your travelling and culinary journals to the next level:

1. Pork sisig

This local delicacy was first introduced in Pampanga. It soon became popular throughout the country, though. As the name suggests, pork is the main ingredient for the dish. However, it is not the meat that becomes the highlight. Instead, it uses the face and ears of a pig’s, which are chopped and grilled along with chicken liver. Served in both restaurants and bars, pork sisig is one of the country’s favourite appetizers.

Pork sisig

2. Balut

This dish is unquestionably the country’s most popular dish. It is almost always exposed in every TV program covering the Philippines. Once, eating balut was even used as a challenge in an American TV show. Despite the worldwide exposure, a lot of foreign tourists visiting the country still find it nerve wrecking to get a bite. The repulsive thing about balut is the egg contains a duck embryo with its almost complete body parts, like a beak, eyes, and feathers. Not only that, the incubated duck egg is simply boiled and normally eaten right from its shell. Balut has normally had this disgusting reputation to those who have not eaten it yet. But, one has to eat it and decide what it tastes like.

3. Halo halo

When talking about the local dessert, nothing beats halo halo, especially if you are enjoying the hot sun near the beach. Not only the rich colours that make it appealing, but its ingredients are also a total delish: coconut, ice cream, kidney beans, milk and some other local sweet components. The name halo halo means mix together and that is why all the ingredients should be mixed altogether to get the best taste. Almost every restaurant has its own version, though, some throwing in sweet potato or jackfruit to up the ante.

4. Adobo

While the main ingredients for the dish may vary: chicken, pork or squid, the dish is named adobo because of the way it is processed. The Spanish originated word means marinate, and so the meat is marinated in some kind of sauce that is commonly the result of mixed vinegar, garlic and soy sauce, but for squids, there is usually an added ingredient in the sauce: squid ink.

Image Credit: Sortedfood

5. Lugaw

It is also known by other names: goto or arroz caldo. Basically, the three refer to rice porridge, but the differences lie in the dish components. While goto is enriched with beef or pork, and arroz caldo with chicken, lugaw has no additional ingredients, but the plain porridge, which is quite similar to congee, but with thicker consistency. The local tend to consume this along with shallots, chili, and soy sauce. This dish is especially popular during rainy season.

Image Credit: Pepper

6. Pork barbecue

Quite similar to the popular satay from Indonesia and Malaysia, the Philippines has its own version of grilled and bamboo skewered meat to enjoy. However, the meat used is pork instead of chicken, lamb, or beef. These are grilled until the pork is cooked and it is also being basted during the process to add flavor and keep the meat moist. The tradition in the country to celebrate a kid’s birthday by serving the dish with hot dogs and local spaghetti.

7. Silog

If you ask Filipinos what their favorite breakfast is, they will easily tell you one or more of the famous silog. It is indeed a popular breakfast menu. Silog actually refers to a combination of fried rice, egg and meat. The name silog is usually adjusted depending on the meat used. When beef is added, the name is changed into tapsilog, tosilog for pork and longsilog for the fried rice combined with local sausages, which are name longganisa.

Image Credit: Aboutfilipinofood

8. Chicken inasal

Having been popular during the past decade, the Visayas originated chicken dish is made and served with a lot of ingredients, such as lime, annato, pepper, vinegar, soy sauce, chili and dipping sauce. it is a popular specialty in the city of Bacolod, as well as in neighboring cities and towns of Negros Occidental.

Image Credit: Angsarap

9. Chicharon Bulaklak

Chicharon Bulaklak or deep-fried ruffled fat is a popular Filipino appetizer. It is another local dish that uses a pig’s body part. This time, it is the thin layer of the animal’s intestines that looks like web. The innards are deep fried and served with vinegar, onion and chili sauce. This dish is extremely easy to find on the local streets.

Image Credit: Reelandgrill

10. Sinigang

This can be said to be the most distinguished dish of the Philipines. While other popular dishes are either grilled or fried, sinigang comes in the form of soup. As it contains tamarind, the dominating taste is sour. Those who care about healthy diet may find the dish agreeable to their expectations as it has got lots of vegetables (radish, eggplant, spinach, beans) and various kinds of meat (chicken, shrimp, fish, beef, pork). Most Filipinos like to cook sinigang with green long peppers in order to enhance the taste and add a little spice to the dish.

Image Credit: Chowhound

10 Most Beautiful Beach in Philippines

November 13, 2017 By FAQ Leave a Comment

Blessed with more than seven thousand islands, the Philippines is one of the top leisure destinations in Asia. It has got quite a lot of white, sandy beaches with crystal clear water. However, to make it easier for you to choose, the top ten are already picked!

1. Boracay, Aklan

Boracay is a small island in Northern Panay island. Having been awarded and noted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with its one-of-a-kind 5 km white sand, this beach is a magnet for tourists. Thanks to the world wide recognition and exposure from online tourism giants like Tripadvisor and Yahoo, a lot of foreigners from the Western countries enjoy their leisure here. Equipped with diving spots and facilities, bars, clubs, spas, hotels, resorts and restaurants, this island is perfect for both romantic and adventurous getaways.

Travel + Leisure magazine ranked Boracay 3rd best island in the world for 2017 alongside Palawan (also Philippines) and other world-famous islands like Santorini in Greece, Maui (Hawaii), Bali (Indonesia) and Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

When to Visit: The best time to visit is from November to May. The temperature during this time ranges between 25 degrees and 32 degrees Celsius.

How to Get There: The fastest (and the most expensive) way to travel is from Manila to Caticlan airport. Then, you need to take a vehicle to Caticlan Jetty port for the 10-20 minute boat ride to Boracay.

Image Credit: Elin Chow

2. Coron, Palawan

Coron is both the name of an island off the coast of Busuanga and the name of Busuanga’s largest town. It is one of the beaches that stun their visitors with its breathtaking views. Many who have visited this beach tend to find the place fiction-like. It is in the form of a lagoon with clear, blue water, rocky mountains and beautiful coral reefs. Enriched with some historical value with the Japanese shipwrecks from the World War II under its water, this beach has been nominated in The World’s Top Ten Scuba Diving Sites by Forbes Traveler Magazine.

When to Visit: The Dry Season runs from December to mid-June. Coolest months are from December to February. On average hovering in the 30 degree celsius range plus humidity.

How to Get There: Flying is the easiest and fastest way to reach Busuanga Airport from Manila then take a van to Coron town (takes about 45 minutes).

Image Credit: suptoursphilippines

3. El Nido, Palawan

Located in Palawan, just like Coron, the beach offers clear water, white sand and astonishing view. The added benefit of visiting the beach is enjoying nature and wildlife through its beautiful forests. El Nido in Palawan is ranked No. 14 among the CNN’s Top 100 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World.

When to Visit: The best time to visit is December through March because the weather is nice and dry.

How to Get There: Most tourists coming to El Nido land on Palawan island in Puerto Princesa International Airport, though a direct flight from Manila. The journey usually continues with a van direct from Puerto Princesa airport up to El Nido bus terminal.

Image Credit: Outoftownblog.com

4. Panglao Island, Bohol

The beach is on Panglao Island. Its beauty has earned the place a cute nickname the little paradise of pure hearts. The tourism spot is suitable for those who fancy relaxation and taking a stroll along the shore.

When to Visit: The dry, cool season between December and March is the perfect time to go.

How to Get There: The easiest way to reach Bohol is via Cebu, where there are ferries heading to the direction every day.

5. Siargao Island

Despite the tear like shape of the island, the place is best known for its beach and waves. In between August and November, they can reach as high as twenty feet. The blue water beautifies the surfing spot. No wonder, several prestigious surfing events, like the 2017 International Women’s Surfing Cup, Cloud 9 Surfing Cup, and Surfista Surf Camps have been conducted there. Furthermore, the island has the largest mangrove forest in Mindanao which is a source of rich marine biodiversity.

When to Visit: For those who plan to go surfing, the best months would be August to November.

How to Get There: The most convenient way to get to Siargao to take a flight from Manila or Cebu city to Sayak Airport, Siargao.

Siargao Islands

6. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Although the beach has been compared to Hawaii due to its magnificent blue water and the seemingly endless white sand, it is not so crowded yet. It may be the result of its location on the northern part of the Philippines’ main island, Luzon, with not-so-accessible route. However, for that reason, the beach is perfect for intimate and relaxing getaways.

When to Visit: From December to March is the best time to go to Pagudpud to head out to the calmest waters, and bluest skies hands down.

How to Get There: You can fly from Manila into Laog City in Ilocos Norte and then hire a bus or a car from there.

Image Credit: Trekearth.com

7. Bantayan Island

The island, which is located in the northern part of Cebu, offers not only a fun and adventurous holiday, but also a theurapetic one. Those seeking fun and adrenaline rush can enjoy cool sandbars and various thrilling activities, like skydiving, while the gentle waves, warm breeze, and soft white sand create peaceful atmosphere in the area.

When to Visit: Best month to visit is from January to June.

How to Get There: Most tourists go here via Cebu City, where one can take a bus to Hagnaya Port and a ferry to Bantayan Islans.

8. Camiguin Island

Those looking for a tourism spot that has more to offer than a plain beach may find this place suitable for their taste. This island indeed has a unique topography with its pear-like shape. Camiguin has more volcanoes per square kilometre than any other island on earth. Therefore, tourists coming to the place are also spoiled with mountainous terrains other than the beach itself. Some who have been mesmerized by its beauty have even referred to the place as the Garden of Eden. In addition, there is the Cross at the Sunken Cemetary that many have found intriguing.

When to Visit: If you get the chance, visit Camiguin during the Lanzones Festival, which is celebrated on the third week of October.

How to Get There: The most convenient way to Camiguin is obviously a plane trip from Cebu to to Camiguin Airport (Mambajao, Camiguin).

Camiguin Island in the Philippines. Photo by Bro. Jeffrey Pioquinto, SJ via Flickr.

9. Dakak Park Beach Resort

Tourism business seems to have grown in this place. Here, there are a lot of resorts and hotels to choose. Those who enjoy the combination of luxury and beauty of the nature are likely to have a great time in this tourism destination.

How to Get There: Dakak Beach Resort is a 30-minute drive from Dipolog City and Dipolog Airport.

Image Credit: Bernardo Agulo

10. Mactan Island

Mactan Island which is located in Cebu is home to 430,000 people. It is the most densely populated island in the Philippines and has many tourists spots and attractions. There are also numerous water sports activities, like jet skiing, sailing, para-sailing.

When to Visit: From January to May are the driest months, and you should expect rain the rest of the year.

How to Get There: You can fly or take a boat to Mactan. Mactan Island is also connected by two bridges to Cebu city.

For additional information, while it may be easy to reach some of the top ten beaches (like Dakak Park, Boracay, El Nido, Siargao in Surigao, and Puerto Princesa) by air via direct flights, the other places are likely to require you to combine a flight and land or sea transportations (the popular ones are ferries). Nonetheless, most tourists find the tiring journeys worthwhile.

7 Reasons Why You Should Travel To The Philippines

November 1, 2017 By FAQ Leave a Comment

Asian countries have always been popular tourism destinations. Not only do they offer a wide range of different experiences and adventures, but many also find that the budget is not burdening.
The Philippines is one of the countries worth visiting. Why? Because it has got a lot of things to offer. Below are the top seven reasons why:

1. Beaches

The country has got thousands of islands, which means a vast collection of pretty beaches. Sometimes people have their own ideas of a perfect beach. Some may look forward to romantic sunsets, others a chance to snorkel and enjoy underwater beauty and the others an experience to swim with the giant whale sharks. With thousands of choices, it will not be impossible to find one that matches your personal criteria. As long as you do not mind browsing a bit, it will be easy to find out that the best sunset can be found in Boracay, the beautiful reefs in Palawan, and the whale sharks in Cebu.

Image Credit: Elin Chow

2. One-stop holiday destination

If beaches are not for you, there are still other natural wonders awaiting to be explored: volcanoes and rice terraces.
UNESCO has, in fact, listed the rice terraces in the northern Luzon to be one of the world’s heritage sites. Beyond the beauty that the paddy fields offer, the geographical conditions in the area, like the cliffs and waterfall, also allow an exciting trekking adventure for its visitors.
As for the volcanoes, there are two well-known sites: Camiguin in Mindanao and Mount Mayon in Bicol. When visiting the inactive volcanoes, tourists can try climbing the volcanoes, yet be aware of mini eruptions that may happen. To be on the safe side, it is better to hire a guide who knows the areas well. After all, climbing the volcano(es) can be rewarding and soothing, what with the agenda of bathing in natural hot tubs or springs nearby afterwards.

Banaue Rice Terraces. Image by Cabajar via Wikimedia Commons

However, if you are not into nature, big shopping malls and street foods can be a different kind of adventure in the country. For great shopping experiences, you can go to Manila or to Quezon where the South East Asia’s biggest shopping mall is located. Alternatively, you can also try visiting the world’s fourth biggest shopping mall in Pasay.

3. Local people

Many who have visited the country seem to find that the locals are nice, friendly people with a good sense of humour. Even the traditional people who still live in tribes welcome wefie invitations. Some others have reported polite treatment from the locals as they constantly address tourists with miss, ma’am, sir, etc. Additionally, over 90% of the Filipinos speak English. With less language barrier, blending in appears to be easier to do.

Kaplag festival of Mahaplag

4. Affordability

This is especially true for tourists coming from the United States and European countries. With the different currencies, everything in the Philippines may seem affordable. The rent for some great bungalows right on the beach is around $35. Even the price for alcoholic drinks is reasonable. Some 0,5l drinks is for sale at $0.5 while the 0,7l bottle costs $2. Practically, it is fun to have a holiday in the country as there is nothing to hold back, including your spree for good drinks.

5. Local taste

Not only are they cheap, but they can also take your culinary experiences to the next level. Mostly dominated by pork, some of which is either grilled or fried, the country’s most popular dishes come with healthier options, like sinigang, which refers to tamarind based soup garnished with a lot of kinds of meat and vegetables and balut, which is a boiled duck egg. While foreigners may find the first dish agreeable to their taste once they get used to the sourness, many find the second one repulsive or at least challenging to eat. Balut has indeed gained its notorious reputation for a long time as it is not common for people outside the Philippines to dig in an already anatomically complete duck embryo from its egg shell.

Sinigang

Not keen on trying the dishes? Not to worry, the country also has halo-halo as its most favourite dessert. The reason for the love of this dessert is obvious: it is colourful, healthy with kidney beans, coconuts and some other local ingredients and refreshing with the ice cream on top.
If you do not fancy the combination, eating just the local fruits can be appealing for your taste buds. The pineapples. mangoes, papayas, durians, and coconuts are simply fresh and tasty.

6. Non-extreme weather

The Philippines is a tropical country with around 26.6° C yearly temperature on average. With such friendly temperature, tourists can easily adapt to the country’s weather although rainy season is to be expected from June to October. The best time to go is between November and May.

7. It has one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

The Underground River is a 8km navigable river in the island of Palawan, in western Philippines. It’s the longest river underground and boasts incredible geological formations, lagoons and caves.

Image Credit: ppur

Perfect beaches. Friendly locals. Beautiful nature. Non-Extreme Weather. Plus, it’s a cheap country to travel, you’ll get a great value for your money. So, there you go, the seven main reasons why the Philippines is a must-visit country.

The Anatomy of a Filipino Employee: What Makes Them Worth Investing In

October 26, 2017 By FAQ Leave a Comment

The Philippines that was once a Commonwealth under the United States has risen as one of the top outsourcing destination in the world. All thanks to Filipinos who are known for their skills, talents, and work ethic as well.

Here’s an interesting fact: Filipinos is 3rd in Asia when it comes to english proficiency. No wonder why foreign investors are establishing a business in the Philippines.

In this infographic, we’re going to go over various qualities and facts what makes Filipinos one of the most preferred employees in the world. Here’s what you need to know about Filipinos.